Machine for properly positioning and securing bindings on skis



Oct. 6, 1964 1.. G. BENDER 3,151,401

MACHINE FOR PROPERLY POSITIONING AND SECURING BINDINGS ON SKIS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 5, 1962 Leon 6. Bender INVENTOR.

BY i l W L. G. BENDER FOR Oct. 6, 1964 3,151,401 MACHINE PROPERLY POSITIONING AND SECURING BINDINGS oN SKIS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 3, 1962 Leon 6. Bender INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PROPERLY POSITIONING L. G. BENDER MACHINE FOR AND SECURING BINDINGS 0N SKIS Oct. 6, 1964 Filed Dec. 3, 1962 Leon 6. Bender INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,151,401 MACHINE FGR PRGPERLY PGSITIGNING AND SEEURENG BKNDINGS 0N EKHS Leon G. Bender, 456 D St, Springfield, Greg. Filed Bee. 3, I962, Ser. No. 241,876 9 Claims. (Cl. 33189) This invention relates to a machine for properly positioning and securing bindings on snow skis and more specifically to a machine or jig designed primarily for the purpose of mounting bindings on each of a pair of skis in exactly the same and correct place.

Since a skiers balance is of prime importance and must be correct for any skier to be proficient, it is extremely important that the bindings on each ski of a pair of skis are mounted in the same location. It is accepted that ski bindings must be mounted exactly alike and in perfect alignment in order to give maximum performance. If they are not mounted in this manner, the skier might be more subject to turning his ankle or losing his balance. If the ski boot is not perfectly centered and in alignment with the ski it causes a drag and while this drag is not too great, it could mean the difference between winning and losing a race or jump.

As speed and controlled balance are the prime requisites of every participant whether he be jumping, down hill racing, cross country racing or slalom racing, ski bindings are usually mounted on skis to conform with the individuals likes and style of skiing. Additionally, each person may have a separate pair of skis for each type of skiing above-mentioned and each pair of sk1s may have its bindings located in a different position. However, it s of prime importance that the bindings of each ski of a pair of skis be mounted exactly the same.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a machine or jig which will be capable of locating bindings on each ski of a pair of skis in exactly the same place.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a jig which will enable the bindings of different pairs of skis to be positioned differently but with the bindings of each pair of skis being placed exactly the same.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a jig or machine with indexing means indicating the position each pair of bindings is secured to a pair of skis in order that the bindings on two pair of skis may be secured in exactly the same place and at different times.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a machine or jig in accordance with the preceding objects including indexing means with which a template corresponding to a given type of bindings may be engaged to properly locate that particular type of binding relative to the indexing means thereby enabling numerous different types of templates to be used in connection with the same jig in order that different types of bindings may be handled by the same jig.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein and in accordance with the preceding objects is to provide a jig or machine which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, 'be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accom- SJEEAM Patented Get. 6, 1964 panying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the machine or jig of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the jig on somewhat of a reduced scale;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view similar to that of FIG- URE 2 but showing the machine supporting a pair of skis on their side edges;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line '7--7 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 8-8 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of one type of template which is adapted to be used in connection with the machine or jig of the instant invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generally designates the machine or jig 10 of the instant invention. The jig comprises an elongated mounting bar 12 having a pair of supports 14 and 16 secured to the opposite ends thereof. Each of supports 14, 16 includes a base flange 18 which is suitably apertured as at 29 for the reception of fasteners whereby the base flanges 18 may be secured to a suitable supporting surface such as a bench top.

The elongated mounting bar 12 is generally cylindrical and an elongated ruler 22 or the like is also secured between the supports 14 and 16. The ruler 22 has indicia 24 formed thereon for a purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

The jig 10 includes a pair of support blocks 26 and 28 which may be substantially identical and are each provided with a substantially planar upper surface 30 and an upwardly opening groove 32.

The support 16 includes an upright flange 34 which is disposed at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the mounting bar 12 and includes a side face 36 facing toward the remote end of the mounting bar which comprises an abutment surface.

With the support blocks 26 and 23 positioned as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings it may be seen that a pair of skis 38 and 40 may be supported by the support blocks 26 and 28 with their rear end edges abutted against the abutment surface 36.

Positioning means for properly positioning the skis 38 and 40 relative to'the jig ll) is provided and includes a pair of mounting arms 42 and 43 pivotally and slidably secured to the mounting bar 12 at corresponding end portions for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the mounting bar 12 and slidable longitudinally of the latter. Further, the positioning means also includes a pair of centering arms 44 and 46 pivotally secured at their midportions to each of the mounting arms 42 and 43 by means of fasteners 45 and including a pair of laterally directed abutment pins 5% at their opposite ends. An expansion spring 52 is secured between one end portion of each centering arm and the corresponding mounting arm and normally resiliently urges the centering arm to a position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the corresponding mounting arm.

An indexing arm generally referred to by the reference numeral 54 is provided with a deformable sleeve portion 56 on one end which is rotatably and slidably received on the mounting bar 12. A slide assembly generally referred to by the reference numeral 58 is provided and is generally U-shaped in configuration including a pair of legs as and 62 interconnected at their upper ends by means of a bight portion 64. The free ends of the legs 60 and 62 are each provided with a journal portion 66 which rotatably and siidably receives the mounting bar 12 and it may be seen that the journal portions 66 are disposed on opposite ends of the sleeve portion 56. A setscrew 68 is threadedly engaged in a bore '79 formed through the bight portion 64 and engages the outer surface of the sleeve portion 56 and may be utilized to deform the latter adjacent the innermost end of the setscrew 68 whereby the sleeve portion 56 may have the portion thereof engaged by the setscrew 68 inwardly deflected into tight frictional engagement with the mounting bar 12 thereby retaining the inexing arm 54 in adjusted rotated positions about the mounting bar 12 and adjusted shifted positions longitudinally of the mounting bar 12.

With the skis 38 and 46 positioned as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that the mounting arms 42, 43 may be swung downwardly to overlie the skis 38 and 49. The centering arms 44 and 46 may then have their abutment pins 5% engaged with opposite side edges of the skis 3S and 4% in order that the longitudinal axes of the skis 38 and 4% may be aligned with the axes of rotation of the corresponding centering arms 44 and 46. Then, the skis 38 and 49 may be longitudinally shifted until their rear ends abut against the abutment surface 36. Then, the index ng arm 54 may be swung downwardly to a position overlying the skis 33 and 40 and thereafter shifted axially of the mounting bar 12 until the pointer 72 registers with the desired one of the indicia 24 formed on the ruler 22. Then, the interchangeable template 76 may have its V-shaped projection 73 inserted within a selected one of the V-shaped notches 8% formed in the longitudinal side edge 32 of the indexing arm 54. It may be seen from FIGURE 9 of the drawings that the template 76 includes center punch means 84 for indicating the correct position of fasteners of a given type of bindings which are to be secured to the skis 38 and 40. The upper surface of the template 76 may then be struck with a hammer or similar implement in order to drive the center punch means 84 into the upper surface of the corresponding ski. Thereafter, the appropriate bores may be drilled in the ski for the reception of the fasteners of the bindings which are to be secured to the ski. It may be appreciated that several types of interchangeable templates 76 may be provided with each template corresponding to a given type of ski binding. After the bindings have been secured to one of the skis, the process may be repeated on the other ski.

With attention now directed to FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the skis 38 and 40 may be disposed with their lower surfaces abutting each other and on edge so as to be received within the grooves or notches 32 formed in the support blocks 26 and 28. Then, the side edges of the skis may be worked upon while the skis 38 and 40 are held stationary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A machine for properly locating bindings on a ski prior to the securement of the bindings to the ski, said machine including jig means having a longitudinal axis and defining an abutment surface adapted to have one end of a ski abutted thereagainst upon longitudinal shifting of said ski at right angles to said surface and along i a line generally paralleling said axis, said jig including a pair of centering means adapted to releasably engage said ski at locations spaced longitudinally therealong and from opposite side edges thereof and to properly laterally position said ski relative to the longitudinal axis of said jig, said jig including indexing means adjustable longitudinally of said jig including a portion adapted to register with and move along the longitudinal center axis of said ski, said indexing means including positioning means for properly positioning an interchangeable template relative thereto having indicating means for indicating the points on said ski where the fasteners of a binding plate are to be secured, said jig including support means generally horizontally aligned with said surface adapted to support a ski in a horizontal position with its undersurface lowermost and in horizontal alignment with said abutment surface which is vertically disposed and to support said ski for lateral shifting relative to the longitudinal axis of said said ski, said centering means including a pair of centering arms of a length adapted to span the width of a ski and including mounting means spaced longitudinally of said jig mounting said arms, intermediate their opposite ends, for rotation about generally parallel upstanding axes with said axes disposed in an upright plane disposed at substantially right angles to said abutment surface, said centering arms each including a pair of opposite and laterally projecting abutments adapted to receive said ski therebetween when said ski is extending transversely of said arms, andmeans normally yieldably urging said arms toward positions of rotation aligned with said plane.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said abutment surface projects laterally to one side of said longitudinal axis and said mounting means are mounted on said jig for swinging movement about an axis generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of said jig into and out of registry with said plane.

3. A machine for properly locating bindings on a ski prior to the securement of the bindings to the ski, said machine including jib means having a longitudinal axis and defining an abutment surface adapted to have one end of a ski abutted thereagainst upon longitudinal shifting of said ski at right angles to said surface and along a line generally paralleling said'axis, said jig including a pair of centering means adapted to releasably engage said ski at locations spaced longitudinally therealong and from opposite side edges thereof and to properly laterally position said ski relative to the longitudinal axis of said jig, said jig including indexing means adjustable longitudinally of said jig and including a portion adapted to register with and move along the longitudinal center axis of said ski, said indexing means including positioning means for properly positioning an interchangeable template relative thereto having indicating means for indicating the points on said ski where the fasteners of a binding plate are to be secured, said jig including support means generally horizontally aligned with said surface adapted to support a ski in a horizontal position with its undersurface lOWfiI-e most and in horizontal alignment with said abutment surface which is vertically disposed, said centering means including a pair of centering arms of a length adapted to span the width of a ski and including mounting means spaced longitudinally of said jig mounting said arms, intermediate their opposite ends, for rotation about generally parallel upstanding axes with said axes disposed in an upright plane disposed at substantially right angles to said abutment surface, said centering arms each including a pair of opposite and laterally projecting abutments adapted to receive said ski therebetween when said ski is extending transversely of said arms, and means normally yieldably urging said arms toward positions of rotation aligned with said plane, said mounting means comprising a pair of mounting arms pivotally supported at one pair of ends for rotation about said longitudinal axis, said centering arms being pivotally secured to the free ends of said mounting arms.

4. A machine for properly locating bindings on a ski prior to the securement of the bindings to the ski, said machine including a jig defining generally planar supporting surface means adapted to have the lower surface of the ski abutted thereagainst and having a longitudinal axis generally paralleling said planar surface, said jig means further defining an abutment surface extending transversely of said plane and axis and adapted to have one end of the ski abutted thereagainst upon longitudinal shifting of said ski along the line generally paralleling said axis, said jig including a pair of mounting arms, means pivotally supporting one pair of corresponding ends of said mounting arms for rotation about generally aligned axes generally paralleling and spaced outwardly from said planar surface means and swinging movement of said mounting means between first positions overlying and generally paralleling the plane of said surface means and second positions disposed at generally right angles to and extending away from the plane of said surface means, said mounting arms each including a centering arm pivotally secured thereto for rotation about an axis extending transversely of said arms and generally paralleling the plane of swinging movement of said mounting arms, said centering arms each including a pair of opposite end laterally directed abutments adapted to engage the opposite edge portions of the ski when said mounting arms are in the first positions and to be utilized to index said ski relative to the axes of rotation of said mounting arms.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said jig includes indexing means adjustable longitudinally of said jig and including a portion adapted to register with and move along the longitudinal center axis of said ski, said indexing means including positioning means for properly positioning an interchangeable template relative thereto having indicating means for indicating the points on said ski where the fasteners of a binding plate are to be secured.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said indexing means includes indicating means co-acting with said jig 6 for indicating predetermined adjusted positions of said indexing means longitudinally of said jig.

7. A machine for properly locating bindings on a ski prior to the securement of the bindings to the ski, said machine including a jig having a longitudinal axis and defining an abutment surface adapted to have one end of a ski abutted thereagainst upon longitudinal shifting of said ski at right angles to said surface and along a line generally paralleling said axis, said jig including a pair of positioning means adapted to releasably engage said ski at locations spaced longitudinally therealong and from opposite side edges thereof and to properly laterially position said ski relative to the longitudinal axis of said jig, said positioning means including a pair of centering arms of a length adapted to span the width of the ski and further including mounting means longitudinally spaced from their opposite ends mounting said arms for rotation about generally parallel upstanding axes extending in an upright plane disposed at substantially right angles to said abutment surface, said centering arms each including a pair of opposite end and laterally projecting abutments adapted to receive said ski therebetween when said arms are extending transversely of said plane.

8. The combination of claim 4 including means normally yieldably urging said centering arms toward positions of rotation generally paralleling said plane.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said indexing means includes means releasably locking said indexing means in adjusted shifted positions longitudinally of said ig.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 810,319 Blazej Jan. 16, 1906 1,119,470 Swantusch Dec. 1, 1914 1,255,507 Brennan Feb. 5, 1918 2,764,818 Gard Oct. 2, 1956 

1. A MACHINE FOR PROPERLY LOCATING BINDINGS ON A SKI PRIOR TO THE SECUREMENT OF THE BINDINGS TO THE SKI, SAID MACHINE INCLUDING JIG MEANS HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS AND DEFINING AN ABUTMENT SURFACE ADAPTED TO HAVE ONE END OF A SKI ABUTTED THEREAGAINST UPON LONGITUDINAL SHIFTING OF SAID SKI AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID SURFACE AND ALONG A LINE GENERALLY PARALLELING SAID AXIS, SAID JIG INCLUDING A PAIR OF CENTERING MEANS ADAPTED TO RELEASABLY ENGAGE SAID SKI AT LOCATIONS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG AND FROM OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES THEREOF AND TO PROPERLY LATERALLY POSITION SAID SKI RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID JIG, SAID JIG INCLUDING INDEXING MEANS ADJUSTABLE LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID JIG INCLUDING A PORTION ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH AND MOVE ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER AXIS OF SAID SKI, SAID INDEXING MEANS INCLUDING POSITIONING MEANS FOR PROPERLY POSITIONING AN INTERCHANGEABLE TEMPLATE RELATIVE THERETO HAVING INDICATING MEANS FOR INDICATING THE POINTS ON SAID SKI WHERE THE FASTENERS OF A BINDING PLATE ARE TO BE SECURED, SAID JIG INCLUDING SUPPORT MEANS GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED WITH SAID SURFACE ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A SKI IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION WITH ITS UNDERSURFACE LOWERMOST AND IN HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID ABUTMENT SURFACE WHICH IS VERTICALLY DISPOSED AND TO SUPPORT SAID SKI FOR LATERAL SHIFTING RELATIVE TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID SAID SKI, SAID CENTERING MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF CENTERING ARMS OF A LENGTH ADAPTED TO SPAN THE WIDTH OF A SKI AND INCLUDING MOUNTING MEANS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID JIG MOUNTING SAID ARMS, INTERMEDIATE THEIR OPPOSITE ENDS, FOR ROTATION ABOUT GENERALLY PARALLEL UPSTANDING AXES WITH SAID AXES DISPOSED IN AN UPRIGHT PLANE DISPOSED AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID ABUTMENT SURFACE, SAID CENTERING ARMS EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSITE AND LATERALLY PROJECTING ABUTMENTS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID SKI THEREBETWEEN WHEN SAID SKI IS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID ARMS, AND MEANS NORMALLY YIELDABLY URGING SAID ARMS TOWARD POSITIONS OF ROTATION ALIGNED WITH SAID PLANE. 